Irish Olympian Caitríona Jennings Breaks Women’s 100-Mile World Record in Illinois Ultra Race
Irish ultrarunner Caitríona Jennings has made history by breaking the women’s 100-mile world record at an ultra race in Illinois. The 45-year-old athlete completed the distance in an impressive time of 12 hours, 37 minutes, and 14 seconds. This remarkable feat surpasses the previous record held by Camille Herron, which was set in 2017, by over five minutes.
Caitríona Jennings’ Running Background
Jennings has established herself as a formidable presence in ultrarunning, setting Irish records at multiple distances. Notably, she recorded:
- 50K: 3 hours, 16 minutes, and 33 seconds
- 100K: 7 hours, 43 minutes, and 1 second
She has also secured several top-10 finishes at the renowned Comrades Marathon in South Africa. During her record-breaking race, Jennings maintained an average pace of 7 minutes and 34 seconds per mile, or 4 minutes and 42 seconds per kilometer.
Race Earnings and Recognition
In addition to setting the world record, Jennings earned a bonus of $7,500, along with a first-place prize of $1,250. Following her victory, she shared her joy on social media, expressing her gratitude to those who supported her.
Acknowledgments
Jennings thanked Steve Durbin for organizing the event, Terry McConnon for his coaching, and Zach Bitter for his guidance. She also highlighted her husband Martin McCoy as the best crew member during the race. Jennings expressed her immense pride in breaking the record of a “true champion.”
Past Accomplishments
Before her ultrarunning success, Jennings was known for her performance in marathons. She achieved her personal best of 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 17 seconds at the Rotterdam Marathon in 2012. This impressive time qualified her for the London Olympics that same year.
However, her Olympic journey was hampered by injuries that affected her training. Despite these challenges, she finished the marathon in 3 hours, 22 minutes, and 11 seconds.
Focus on Ultramarathons
In recent years, Jennings has shifted her focus primarily to ultrarunning. In 2019, she placed third in the Comrades Marathon with a time of 6 hours, 24 minutes, and 12 seconds. She has noted the different pacing strategies involved in ultrarunning compared to traditional marathons, stating that it allows for a more gradual onset of fatigue.
With her latest achievement, Jennings is set to inspire a new generation of runners in Ireland and beyond.
